Tips for tourists

Read to make your vacation safer and more comfortable

Guidelines

The peninsula is only accessible by air via Yelizovo Airport, 30km away from the main city of Petropavlovsk.

Please inform us of your arrival, including all details such as flight numbers, departure dates, and points of origin, so we could arrange a pick-up. All non-standard pick-ups must be agreed upon, and expenses stemming from delays or early departures are not refundable.

Tour prices include: scheduled transfers, guide fees, meals served en route and accommodation provided, plus entry fees for national parks. Meals to be had off route and all your diet preferences should be agreed over in advance.

Please note that schedules can be changed on account of whims of weather as activities like volcano ascents, sea cruises, and helicopter rides are weather-sensitive by nature. Weather in Kamchatka is very hard to predict and extremely quick to change. In alpine areas, summer temperatures can drop to zero and adverse factors in the form of rain, thick fog, and strong winds are very much a possibility. Please choose and prepare your clothing very carefully.

Rugged terrain, slide rocks, snow patches, overgrown slopes, muddy footpaths, and swift-flowing streams are all sources of danger. Remember that mountains and gorges are prone to avalanches, especially in February and March when precipitation is at its peak.

Bear encounters in wilderness are common occurrences. Do not wander away from your group, and always announce your intention to the guide before minor detours. Bears will almost invariably escape upon seeing you and won’t turn aggressive unless when protecting their food or offspring. Do not turn and run: keep calm and back away slowly.

What to pack:

Your personal identification and health insurance.

45-litre backpack. For volcano climbs and other detours, to place your snacks and spare clothing into.

Waterproof hiking boots with hard, lugged soles, very preferably with foot protection and ankle support. You will tread on such difficult surfaces as rocks, rubble, and snow, while rains, morning dew, fords you will cross, and splashes during white-water experience all make water protection a necessity. Make sure your new boots are well ‘broken in’ before you set out, or you risk serious blisters. High rubber boots with low heels are another option.

Hooded windcheater. In alpine areas, snow patches persist even in mid summer, thick fog can appear without warning, making all your clothes wet through, and rains with strong gusts of wind are not uncommon. A hood on your jacket can be very useful!

Wind-protected trousers, such as for alpine skiing or snowboarding.

Convenient outdoor clothing. Choose wear made of light fabric that dries quickly and keeps you warm when temperatures fall. Do not pack jeans or anything similar: they get wet quickly, dry slowly, and don’t really keep you warm.

Trainers. Light footwear feels especially good after climbs and long hikes.

Thermals. Kamchatka is famed for unpredictable weather, so no amount of warm clothes is too much. Thermals are also good for a night in a tent.

Good sweatshirt is especially needed later in the evening, when temperatures can fall sharply.

Wool socks, especially thick ones, will protect you against blisters. It is not recommended to go on long hikes in cotton or synthetic socks.

Cotton socks. Better not take synthetic socks.

T-shirts, and at least one long-sleeved shirt.

Warm gloves to protect you from freezing and from cutting your hands on rubble and ice.

Wool cap to help against cold and wind.

Cap or broad-rimmed hat, for sun protection.

Underwear set.

Gaiters that can be worn over boots. Protect your footwear and feet against pebbles, sand, rubble, snow, and water. Especially good for climbing mountains and traversing swampy areas.

Bathroom supplies and swimming gear. For ‘wild’ (i.e. with no facilities) hot springs as well as thermal pools attached to hotels in Paratunka.

Sit mat, to put something between those rocks or rubble and yourself. Light and non-cumbersome, these things also do a great job as additional protection for your lower back, aside from being irreplaceable for sitting on rocks or cold ground.

Toiletries. Kamchatka is wilderness, so chances to take a bath during a long hike will be few and far between.

First aid kit. The guide will be carrying what’s necessary, but if you have any special needs in terms of medication, pack it all. Besides, all participants should have their own sets of bandage in case of blisters and minor cuts or scratches.

Sunglasses. Sun-specks can be very bright on water and snow, and you will be able to see what’s going on beneath the surface while fishing.

Head torch and spare batteries. Will make it a much easier job to find your things in the tent or the right path to the canteen or outhouse.

Hiking poles. For better personal safety while treading on rocks and descending, and for relieving exercise stress during ascents.

Sunscreen. There is always risk of getting sunburns when the sky is clear, and snow patches and glaciers greatly increase this risk.

Mosquito repellent / Bite relief. Bugs can be very obnoxious: something to ward them off is strongly recommended.

Mosquito net. There can be just too many.

Knife. Choose handy one.

Cameras. Spare batteries / chargers recommended as well as spare memory cards. You will take many pictures but probably have little time to free some space to take even more.